What Is CBD — Everything You Need to Know

There is a lot of hype about CBD products these days. The word about CBD is spreading at incredible speed, and people want to know more about it. But when we browse the web to find information about it, we realize that there are so many misconstrued details online. So what is CBD? To answer that question properly, I came up with this useful guide on CBD that will set the record straight about it. Learn what CBD is, how to use it, and what effect it has on our well-being.

What Is CBD?

Cannabis has many active compounds that, working in unison, have a therapeutic effect on the user. Cannabidiol, or CBD in short, is one of the two compounds that is the most pronounced in Cannabis Sativa. The other one is THC, aka tetrahydrocannabinol, which is where the confusion about CBD stems from.

CBD vs. THC

Namely, THC is the compound that is most associated with “the high” that a person experiences after smoking marijuana. Unlike CBD, THC is highly psychoactive and causes a strain of activities in the brain, making marijuana a controlled substance in many U.S. states.

In contrast, CBD is entirely non-intoxicating and safe to use for adults and children alike. It has a soothing effect on the body, while it does nothing to alter the mind. What’s more, when taken together with THC, CBD can significantly negate its adverse impact on the user. For all of that, CBD consumption is legal on a federal level.

Hemp vs. Marijuana

Another critical thing to know about CBD is where it is sourced from. Both hemp and marijuana are strains of the cannabis plant, but their chemical composition is quite different.

Hemp is rich in CBD as it is its most abundant compound, while it contains only trace amounts of THC (<0.3%) On the other hand, marijuana is notorious for its high THC content (5%–35%) and much lower CBD (<1%).

That is why industrial hemp-sourced CBD is legal nationwide, and marijuana-based CBD is illegal in most states.

How Does CBD Work? What Benefits Does It Have on Our Health?

Upon consumption, CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for many bodily functions, such as:

What CBD does is intercept the body’s receptors for the functions mentioned above. In doing so, it decreases our sensitivity to pain, reduces insomnia and inflammation, lowers the body temperature and stress levels, and slows down the hyperactivity of the brain, among other things.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that CBD helps with many acute and chronic conditions, including:

How to Use CBD

CBD can be infused in a variety of products. The most popular is CBD oil, as it can be taken sublingually or added to food or drink. Many people like to use CBD-enriched edibles, like gummies, and also capsules because such products are the easiest to consume, just like any other health supplement. CBD can also be bought in the form of:

Vaping e-liquid

Sprays

Body care products

Pet products

Ointments

Powder

Now that we’ve answered what CBD is and how we can use it to improve and maintain our overall health, you can choose the product that is the most suitable for you to intake or go for separate products for different purposes.